Despite their youth, these American Hockey League rookies get considerable ice time for a Falcons defense that has played well over its first eight games.

Moore, a No. 1 draft pick from Chicago, and Savard, a No. 4 pick from Quebec City, have responded positively to the big step up from junior hockey.

They’ll be in action when the Falcons run into the Hartford Wolf Pack in a home-and-home set – tonight at the XL Center in Hartford, Saturday night at the MassMutual Center.

“So far so good,” Springfield coach Rob Riley said about his young backliners. “Of the six defensemen we used last weekend, four were rookies, and the performance was good (two goals allowed in each game, a win and a loss).”

Riley has made it a point to pair his promising kids with veteran partners. Moore will play with Nate Guenin, Savard with Jonathan Sigalet.

“My partner has been around, and that’s a big help to me. It’s a man’s game in this league, and you have to step up and make adjustments,” Moore said.

He brings a strong work ethic to the rink every day, even to the point of coming back in the afternoon for extra practice time.

“I come in and do some shooting,” he said. “It’s what I’ve always done. I grew up right near a rink, and I’d go shoot pucks every chance I could.”

Savard comes to the AHL after an award-winning season with the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He had a huge year for assists – 64 in 64 games, and 14 more in 21 playoff games – as Moncton won the championship.

Savard earned “defenseman of the year” honors for all of Canadian junior hockey. He was rated as the QMJHL’s top defenseman and a first-team All-Star.

With the Falcons, he has shown an ability to rush the puck, but he knows what his main job is.

“I like moving the puck and making a good play, but my first responsibility is to take care of the defensive zone,” he said.

ICE CHIPS: Riley has 10 defenseman on his roster, which means that four have to sit out. Some player movement on the backline could be forthcoming next week, when the Falcons expect to have Nick Holden back from his callup to the parent Columbus Blue Jackets ... Gustaf Wesslau, a highly-regarded goaltender from Sweden, has finished his rehab from a knee injury and could see action by next week. So far, the team has gone with David LeNeveu and Dan Taylor as the goaltenders.